Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus and method for making an envelope from ordinary size, readily available, writing paper. Preferably, the apparatus is a compact desk-top size machine that can be combined with any common office printer, such as a laser printer, or even be incorporated thereinto to form a single machine. The apparatus enables the provision of a system for integrating and simplifying office computerized printing of letters and addressing of envelopes, by using a single paper tray whereby, for example, following the printing of a letter on one or more sheets of paper, the subsequently fed final sheet of paper from the paper tray is routed to the envelope making apparatus, perhaps after the printing of an address on the final sheet, whereby an envelope is created.

Abstract: A separating apparatus for separating packaged products in a packaging apparatus, wherein, in operation, a continuously fed strip of packaging material of synthetic material is folded around a series of products to form a sleeve, wherein in the product conveying direction the folded-over sides are interconnected by means of longitudinal connection means to form a longitudinal connection, wherein, in the transverse direction between two separate products (2, 2'), the upper and lower sides of the sleeve are interconnected by means of cross connection means to form a cross connection, whereupon the thus packaged products are separated over a separating line extending at the location of the cross connection.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing sets of documents comprises a document conveyor, a shunting station, a folding station, and a controller. A scanner determines the length of the conveyed documents in a set or the space between successive documents sets. The control acts responsive to the determined length or space, and adjusts the cycle speed of the apparatus so that the documents sets are conveyed with a minimum of intervening space without colliding. The invention also includes a method for controlling the apparatus of the invention.

Abstract: A compact disc (CD) is inserted into a sleeve as the sleeve is continuously advanced past a load position at which the CD is removed from a vertical spindle by a pivotally mounted lift arm and inserted into an open edge of the sleeve with the arm moving at the same linear speed as the sleeve. Each of the sleeves is supplied from a magazine by timing belts to a conveyor belt. The pivotally mounted arm picks up the CD through an arcuate groove on its bottom surface having a vacuum applied thereto. The arm also has a pressurized air hole for insuring that the open edge of the sleeve is sufficiently open to receive the CD. After the CD is inserted into the sleeve, two linearly spaced push-in units complete full insertion of the CD into the sleeve. If the sleeve does not have a CD inserted, it is automatically removed from the conveyor belt after passing the first push-in unit. The sleeve is held on the conveyor belt by a vacuum and is held by the vacuum against a straight surface of a guide edge.

Abstract: A packaging machine responds, when a kind of merchandise to be produced, the film or the former which is installed thereon is inputted through a touch panel, by causing its microcomputer to compare the inputted data with the data stored in a read-only memory circuit on merchandises, films and/or formers, to display the merchandise, the identification numbers and pictorial patterns of films and/or the sizes and storage location of formers which correspond to the inputted data, and to select an appropriate merchandise, film and/or former.

Abstract: An inserter machine has means for feeding an envelope withdrawn from a storage tray to a flap device 44 capable of opening the envelope flap and forwarding the envelope along a deck 42 with its base edge leading and its open flap trailing. Encoder means 60, 108 are connected for rotation in synchronization with one or more rolls forming part of the forwarding means. The machine also has a means 80 for disconnecting drive to the envelope to stop the envelope at a stuffing station, and a wetter arrangement 116, 118 whereby the envelope flap can be wetted prior to sealing. An envelope stop 128 is provided in a flap closure mechanism 126, 120, 142; the stop being adjustable in position without operator intervention in response to information provided by the encoder means 66, 108 or by data fed in by a user via a keyboard on the machine.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder for a folding and/or inserting machine has a document entry surmounted by at least two loading bins adapted to cooperate with the document entry in various modes of operation, individually or in combination, using a set of sensors and drive units and controlled by a programmed microprocessor of a control circuit via an input/output interface circuit in the feeder.

Abstract: A medication dispenser for use in a hospital or other medical setting comprises a plurality of containers for holding medication units, packaging apparatus for containing one or more medication units in a package and robotics for manipulating a selected container to transfer one or more medication units from the container directly to said package. Since medication is directly transferred from the container to the package, no cross-contamination occurs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of maintaining tension in the film over the forming shoulder in the forward and reverse directions of a package formed in a vertical form, fill and seal machine and stripping and/or settling products out of the sealing and severing area of a partially formed package. The machine includes a source of film, a measuring axis, a forming shoulder, a pull axis, and a finishing system for stripping, sealing and severing successive packages from a formed tube. The measuring axis and the pull axis are operated in the forward direction to form a film tube while tension is maintained on the tube. After a predetermined length of tubing has been pulled, the measuring axis is operated in the reverse direction while the tube is retained in tension downstream of the forming shoulder. Stripping of product entrained in the film seal area can occur in the reverse direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing bakery products is disclosed where an individual dough packet 26 is deposited in a pan 24 made of magnetic material. Endless belts 16 and 18 including magnets 62 has a portion thereof in a path along which the pans 24 are advanced by conveyor belts 12 and 14. The pans 24 are magnetically coupled to the belts 16 and 18, and a sensor 20 is positioned along the path nearby a position Y where an individual dough packet 26 is deposited in a pan at this position.. The sensor 20 provides a control signal upon a pan 24 moving to this position. A motor 22 having a brake 70 and a clutch 72 drives the belts 16 and 18, and a pan 24 held by the belts is advanced upon actuation of the clutch and stopped upon actuation of the brake. A control circuit 80 includes a signal generator that provides a timing signal indicating that a dough packet 26 has been deposited in a pan 24.

Abstract: The apparatus for manufacturing bags for medical use includes an extruding machine, a device for forming an extruded tube, a device for supplying outlet devices, and a device for conveying the extruded tube horizontally. The device for forming the extruded tube has a die through which pass a sterile air supply line, a medical fluid supply line, an air recovering line and a second sterile air supply line which passes through the medical fluid supply line. The extruding machine extrudes a tube in a fused state and outlet devices are welded to the extruded tube in the fused state. The extruded tube is pressed by the formation device at intervals along it to form fused portions bounding chambers and a fluid passage through each fused portion to connect the chambers. Sterile air is fed into the extruded tube and the shape of the extruded tube is maintained by the pressure of the sterile air.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus and method for making an envelope from ordinary size, readily available, writing paper. Preferably, the apparatus is a compact desk-top size machine that can be combined with any common office printer, such as a laser printer, or even be incorporated thereinto to form a single machine. The apparatus enables the provision of a system for integrating and simplifying office computerized printing of letters and addressing of envelopes, by using a single paper tray whereby, for example, following the printing of a letter on one or more sheets of paper, the subsequently fed final sheet of paper from the paper tray is routed to the envelope making apparatus, perhaps after the printing of an address on the final sheet, whereby an envelope is created.

Abstract: An intermittently operated, indexing container conveying system is particularly configured for versatile use with an associated container filling apparatus. In distinction from previous arrangements, the present system includes a servo-drive motor for effecting intermittent indexing movement of a container-carrying endless conveyor. Programmable controls of the system facilitate operation of the system for optimizing efficiency, facilitating use of the system with containers of differing configurations, and with food products exhibiting varying physical properties (i.e., such as viscosities). The present system permits acceleration and deceleration rate of the conveyor to be selectively varied, as well as selective variation of indexing pitch and stop points of the conveyor.

Abstract: Documents printed by high speed laser printers are automatically handled to verify, track, handle, and deposit them in appropriate shipping containers. The system is modular so that it can be configured to suit the needs of a wide variety of users, and includes document transport conveyors, transfer conveyors, and container transport conveyors. A paper sheet having bar coding is associated with each group of documents and the bar coding is sensed to determine where to route the document (what shipping container it should be placed in), and also optionally other document handling procedures, such as plastic shrink wrapping and/or banding. Documents are conveyed to a number of different filling stations with containers passing underneath the filling stations. When the destination bar coding on a group of documents at a filling station matches the bar coding on the container underneath that filling station, dump paddles are activated to drop the group of documents into the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying or removing vessels including a conveyor means to or away from a continuously working packing machine. For adapting the supply or the removal of vessels to the sequence of movements of the packing machine in the best possible manner, the vessels are transported in an essentially closed formation by a conveyor means which is adapted to be driven continuosly at a periodically non-uniform speed in synchronism with the performance of the packing machine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for filling successive pouches which are interconnected in a continuous web by a tubular top portion. Material is dispensed into the pouches by an elongated filling pipe and a mass flow meter monitors the amount of material dispensed through the filling pipe. The rate at which the web is conveyed along the filling pipe is controlled in response to the measured mass flow of the material whereby the amount of material dispensed into each pouch is accurately controlled.

Abstract: In a packaging machine in which products to be packaged are inserted in a tubular wrapper which is then closed by two closure units in cascade, a dimensional characteristic of the products, such as their heights, variations of which can cause corresponding variations in the overall lengths of the packages formed by the tubular wrappers, is monitored in order to bring about corresponding variations in the phase difference in the operation of the closure units.

Abstract: The horizontal wrapping machine of the type wherein a succession of articles are fed into a traveling tube of web material which is sealed longitudinally and severed and sealed between the articles to produce individual hermetically sealed packages. A variable speed motor drives a conveyor which may be provided with article feeding flights and a switch, actuated once each revolution of a timing shaft, provides a pulse corresponding to each flight on the article feeding conveyor. In addition an encoder driven by the variable speed drive motor shaft provides a digital velocity signal used as a reference signal for servo motors that may be coupled, in combination or individually, to drive web feed rolls, longitudinal sealing wheels and one or more sealing and severing heads. A delivery conveyor transporting individual packages may, through a suitable drive train, be driven by the variable speed drive motor.

Abstract: A filling and capping machine including a computer controlled turret having a plurality of pockets for positioning a plurality of containers to at least a fill position and a capping position along the turret's path. The controller programmably positions the turret to these positions for variations of the locations of the pockets on the turret and accommodates for variations in the size and number of the container pockets and the type of fill product and type of containers. The controller also controls the position of the filling unit for the type of fill product as well as controlling the positioning of the filling unit and the capping unit for variations in the type of container. The controller uses a combination of servo motors and fluid motors to vertically and rotationally position the elements.

Abstract: A finisher operable with an image forming apparatus for discharging paper sheets coming out of the apparatus and each carrying an image thereon to a plurality of bins while sorting the paper sheets and, if desired, packaging the paper sheets in an envelope. When a pack mode is selected, the size of paper sheets and the sizes of envelopes which are to be fed from a paper cassette or a tray each are sensed by size sensors. Envelopes sizes capable of accommodating the paper sheets of the sensed size are determined and compared with the sensed envelope sizes. Among the determined envelope sizes, the envelope size capable of accommodating the paper sheets of the size sensed by the size sensor in a desired number inputted. When the desired number is too great to be packaged in the envelope, such an occurrence is displayed and/or the pack mode is cancelled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selective high-speed insertion of sheets from a plurality of webs into envelopes provides a mechanism for folding and inserting sheets into preformed envelopes. Preformed envelopes are provided for folding and inserting from a source that may be a roll. A plurality of sheets are fed for folding and inserting into an envelopes. A leading sheet from each of the webs is selectively driven and cut at a collection point for folding and inserting. The selecting of sheets for feeding and cutting may be accomplished by means of a CPU that may include a bar code detection system disposed along each of the webs. A system for widening the openings of envelopes to facilitate insertion of contents may also be included. This system may comprise a strip along each of the envelopes is a stream that includes a folded section within each opening or may comprise tabs disposed along an opening side of each envelope.

Abstract: An automatically controlled Chub packaging machine wherein the product delivery pump, tube or film feed, and clamping mechanism of the vertically reciprocating clipping head, are automatically controlled by means of servo actuators operatively connected to a microprocessor. The microprocessor of the automatic control system also coordinates the functioning of the film heat sealer and the voider. An operator interface membrane panel with video display allows the operator to set, observe and adjust the various functions of the machine. The microprocessor system links all elements together and places various rates and set points in memory for immediate recall.

Abstract: A selective outer envelope inserting system includes a multiple station inserter and a multiple outer envelope collator mechanically coupled to the multiple station inserter. The multiple station inserter includes a plurality of hoppers containing inserts. One of the hoppers contains a control piece insert. The control piece insert includes a machine readable code such as a bar code that is scanned by a scanner. The scanner is interfaced with a control such as a microprocessor that controls the various hoppers to select a variety of combinations of inserts thereby determining the contents within each envelope. The multiple outer envelope collator includes a plurality of envelope hoppers, and the envelopes in each hopper differ from the envelopes in the other hoppers. The control is interfaced with the collator to control the operation of each individual envelope hopper. Through the code on the control piece, a specific envelope may be selected for each combination of inserts.

Abstract: A method of image processing for visually inspecting a workpiece. The method compares the brightness (15) at each location within an image of the workpiece to the equivalent location within an image of an idealized workpiece. The inspection depends only on local brightness differences between the two images. The method can detect defects which have no distinct edges. Finally this method can detect defects which are small enough that the resolution of the image will show these small defects only as a single point of light (12) or dark (27).

Abstract: An apparatus for forming paperboard cartons from flat blanks is provided. The carton blanks are fed from a magazine to the face of a forming die, a reciprocating plunger is provided to push the blank through the die forming the carton, and an endless conveyor receives the carton after being stripped from the bottom of the die. A servo drive means for the plunger, blank feeder and conveyor are each independently driven by an infinitely variable speed electric motor. A programmable logic controller operates the servo drive means, whereby the plunger, feeder and conveyor can be infinitely varied to fit the forming action desired. The servo drive means preferably takes the form of a variable speed, electronic servo motor including an encoder and a tachometer feedback. Product sensor means detect product availability and carton sensor means detects carton availability with both sensor means also being controlled by the programmable logic controller.

Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous packaging of flexible bags is adapted for use with a continuous bag manufacturing machine. Separate bags are received on a conveyor which conveys the bags to a stacking station at the end of the conveyor. At the stacking station, the bags are stacked in a catch tray until a predetermined number of bags have been collected, at which point the tray is opened to drop the bags into an open container supported on a turntable beneath the catch tray. The turntable is rotatable to convey the open container away from the stacking station to an unloading station when the container has been filled with bags. The turntable rotatably supports a number of support plates evenly distributed around the perimeter of the turntable, upon which an open container sits. A multi-motion actuator situated at the stacking station underneath the turntable is operable to rotate the support plate at the stacking station relative to the turntable.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled wrapping machine including a separate SCR drive driving a corresponding permanent magnet motor, wherein an incremental optical encoder is coupled with each permanent magnet motor to provide a feedback signal indicative of motor position to a microprocessor. Both a main motor, which drives the infeed conveyor and the cutting head assembly, and a finwheel motor are used in combination with the SCR drive and an incremental optical encoder to provide a low cost alternative to a servo amplifier-controlled motor drive. Both the finwheel motor and the main motor are independently controlled from one another as a function of an oscillator, which forms a portion of the microprocessor circuit, and as a function of input switches and the respective feedback signal provided by the respective incremental optical encoder. The present invention provides a low cost alternative to wrapping machines incorporating expensive servo amplifier-controleld motor drives.

Abstract: A method and appaaratus for selective high-speed insertion of sheets from a plurality of webs into envelopes provides a mechanism for folding and inserting sheets into preformed envelopes. Preformed envelopes are provided for folding and inserting from a source that may be a roll. A plurality of sheets are fed for folding and inserting into envelopes. A leading sheet from each of the webs is selectively driven and cut at a collection point for folding and inserting. The selecting of sheets for feeding and cutting may be accomplished by means of a CPU that may include a bar code detection system disposed along each of the webs. A system for widening the openings of envelopes to facilitate insertion of contents may also be included. This system may comprise a strip along each of the envelopes is a stream that includes a folded section within each opening or may comprise tabs disposed along an opening side of each envelope.

Abstract: A speed optimization circuit (140) is employed by an insertion machine to result in a greater actual throughput of successfully enveloped sets of documents. The speed optimization circuit (140) includes a microcontroller (142) which determines whether the machine cycling speed should be changed and which generates a signal for application to a speed adjustment servomechanism (136) for automatically changing the machine cycling speed in accordance with the determination.

Abstract: A packaging machine and method of packaging utilizing chains of interconnected preopened bags which are fed sequentially and one at a time to a load station. Bag tops are clamped against spreading horns by sensor equipped clamps which cause disablement of a bag filling mechanism unless a bag is properly located at the load station. A bag spreading and transfer mechanism spreads a loaded bag and transfers it to a bag closure station for sealing. The mechanism includes bag-supporting structures for supporting the bag during loading transfer and sealing and for expelling a completed package from the machine.

Abstract: An apparatus and control system for producing items in selected configurations and a system and method for controlling the same. More particularly, an apparatus for producing mail pieces and a system and method for controlling it to produce mail pieces in a variety of configurations are disclosed. The apparatus includes a laser printer and folding sealing apparatus controlled by a data processor. The folder sealer apparatus combines sheets printed by the laser printer with pre-printed sheets and envelope forms, which also may be printed by the laser printer or may be windowed envelopes, folds the sheets as necessary and folds and seals the envelope form about the folded sheets to produce a mail piece. A user inputs a configuration for the mail piece which is translated by the data processor into a data structure and transmitted to the controller of the folder sealer apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the positioning of articles driven on a path comprises a first position detector mounted on the path upstream from a desired stop position for the articles on the path and a sensor for sensing displacement steps of the articles and triggered by the first position detector. The apparatus is characterized in that first detector is at a non-critical distance from the stop point, and in that it further includes a second position detector mounted at a distance which is known and referenced relative to the stop point, and means for deriving a stop-controlling parameter P during an initialization cycle using one of the articles driven along the path, on the basis of the number N of article displacement steps representing the known distance and on the basis of a number n of sensor steps measured between the article being detected by one of the two position detectors and then by the other. The invention is applicable to mail processing.

Abstract: Vertical form-fill-seal packaging of a fluent product, such as flour, wherein flexible packaging material is formed into tubing around a downwardly extending mandrel, the tubing is intermittently fed downwardly in package length increments off the lower end of the mandrel with a dwell between each successive feed, the tubing is transversely sealed at a level below the lower end of the mandrel during each dwell to form a top seal for a package being completed and a bottom seal for the next package, the tubing is severed between each top and bottom seal during each dwell, product being fed downwardly from the mandrel into the portion of the tubing, sealed at the bottom, being fed off the lower end of the mandrel, wherein the downward feed of the tubing and the feed of the product are such as substantially to fill the volume of the said portion of the tubing created by the downward feed of the tubing.

Abstract: Baked goods, deep-frozen comestibles and like pressure-sensitive articles are packaged by passing the articles along a transport belt onto a delivery belt which can receive only one article at a time and then controlling the speed of this belt, to precisely deposit the article one at a time upon the packing underlay forming part of a prefolded box advanced past the delivery belt on a box conveyor.

Abstract: A speed optimization circuit (140) is employed by an insertion machine to result in a greater actual throughput of successfully enveloped sets of documents. The speed optimization circuit (140) includes a microcontroller (142) which determines whether the machine cycling speed should be changed and which generates a signal for application to a speed adjustment servomechanism (136) for automatically changing the machine cycling speed in accordance with the determination.

Abstract: A universal packer unfolds folded open side container blanks into fully opened containers and side loads them with complements of articles. The blanks are metered by a supply station and are propelled downstream to an unfolding station. The container flaps are spread apart, and expander arms enter the interior of each blank, thereby starting to unfold it. Erector arms strike the partially opened blank at the trailing edge thereof and push the trailing edge downward relative to the blank leading edge, thereby continuing the unfolding process. Drop lug assemblies emerge from under the blank trailing panel and pivot from a horizontal to a vertical attitude while in contact with the blank trailing panel, thereby completely unfolding the blank. Simultaneously with blank unfolding, a pair of grouper mechanisms forms the complements from a mass of the articles. The complements are propelled downstream in unison and aligned with the open containers.

Abstract: A packaging article inclusion-proofing device for use with an end-sealing mechanism includes a motor for driving a conveyor for feeding packaging articles, with a predetermined space therebetween, into a packaging material which is disposed downstream and formed into a packaging tube, a motor for driving a series of rolls which deliver the packaging material, and a motor for driving an end-sealing mechanism for achieving end-sealing of the tubular packaging material. A deviation detecting sensor is provided for detecting any deviation of the packaging articles from a position at which they would normally be disposed during the end-sealing operation. A reference timing pulse generator generates predetermined reference timing pulses with respect to the feeding of the packaging articles.

Abstract: A vacant package-proofing control device for use in conenction with a packaging machine includes a first motor for driving a conveyor for feeding articles to be packaged, with a predetermined spaced defined therebetween, and a second motor for driving a series of rolls which deliver packaging material, formed into a tube, into which the articles are to be inserted for packaging. A third motor is also provided for driving a pair of end-sealing mechanisms. An absence detecting sensor is disposed at a predetermined position upstream of the end-sealing mechanisms for detecting the absence of any packaging article from its predetermined position upon its conveyor. A reference timing pulse generator is also provided for generating predetermined reference timing pulses in connection with the timing of the feeding of the packaging articles.

Abstract: An improved positioning apparatus for conveyor systems uses a pair of retractable stops mounted laterally of the conveyor belt to extend diagonally over the belt and engage an article thereon at a precisely repeatable point. The conveyor drive is augmented by auxiliary drive means which are engaged to urge the article against the stops and to prevent excessive shock in the system.

Abstract: A method of changing or replacing one liquid or semi-liquid product by another for insertion in a succession of thermoplastic receptacles bearing respective decorative and/or informative elements wherein, a minimum buffer volume is determined for a first product contained in a metering dispenser and in a buffer tank, the buffer volume corresponding to the sum of the portions of first product which remain to be inserted into the receptacles prior to the receptacles being replaced in a filling station zone by receptacles provided with different decorative elements. While the installation is in operation, a first master strip of the decorating station and/or a first strip of receptacle tops are cut transversely at distances from the filling zone which corresponds to the lengths of the first master strip and/or of the first strip of tops which will be consumed by the receptacles receiving the last portions of product from the minimum buffer volume of the first product.

Abstract: The machine comprises a quasi-closed frame constituted by a top frame (5A) hinged to a bottom frame )5B), a first path (10) for mail and a second path (20) for empty envelopes running through the top frame (5A), a third path 30) for filled envelopes running between the top and bottom frames, a folding module (11) and a filling module (31) each having one portion of their paths in the top frame and the remaining portion in the bottom frame and directly coupling the first path and the second path to the filling module on the third path. The machine is applicable to processing mail.

Abstract: A packing machine includes a supply conveyor arranged for advancing articles to be wrapped; a first motor drivingly connected to the supply conveyor; a second motor arranged for advancing a wrapper sheet codirectionally with the advance of articles; a sealing unit for periodically providing a transverse sealing seam in front of and behind each article subsequent to wrapping the article; and a third motor drivingly connected to the sealing unit. There is provided a circuit arrangement operatively coupled to the sealing unit for regulating a rotational position of the third motor. The circuit arrangement includes a computer having an input connected to the first motor for receiving data on consecutive rotational positions. To the computer there are applied data on dimensional characteristics of the articles and the wrapper sheet. The computer calculates, from the data, synchronous rotary positions of the second and third motors at least during periods when the sealing unit is in contact with the wrapper sheet.

Abstract: In a packaging machine in which a leading unit for advancing a film web and forming it into a continuous tubular shape during its travel, a feeding unit for supplying articles to be wrapped into the film tube, and a cutting unit for at least sealing the film tube along the transverse direction, are driven by independent motors, a method for controlling the motors includes controlling the running speeds of the motors for the feeding unit and the sealing unit on the basis of the running speed of the motor for the leading unit. A control device for carrying out such a method includes detectors for detecting conditions including positions of the leading unit, feeding unit and sealing unit, and a control unit connected to the detectors for controlling the motors of the feeding unit and the sealing unit on the basis of signals from the detector which detects operating conditions of the leading unit.

Abstract: An automated apparatus for transporting, lining-up and stowing cylindrical fragile bodies. It promotes efficiency of the stowing operation and ensures sanitation during stowing. Furthermore it disposes cylindrical fragile bodies within receptacles in a compact manner.

Abstract: An installation for making up batches of articles, the installation being characterized in that it comprises at least one work station for one operator, said station including a storage member (4) for storing said articles species-by-species, said articles each being provided with automatically readable identification means, said station also including a reader (19) for automatically reading the said identification means and a hatch (17) communicating with a chute (18) whose opening is controllable, said installation further including an endless chain of buckets (21) disposed in such a manner that the buckets pass beneath the chutes, and a moving belt (25) disposed beneath the buckets and receiving the boxes (26) for receiving the batches of articles via an inlet station, each bucket being provided with a controllable pivoting device in order to cause the article contained therein to fall into a box, the installation including a station (20) from which loaded boxes are removed and being controlled by a comput

Abstract: A Multi-Purpose Conveyor System particularly designed for efficiently handling different types of dough products which conveyor system includes a plurality of coordinated and synchronized conveyor mechanisms, constructed and arranged to eliminate the necessity for manual handling of the dough during the cutting of the dough onto individual pieces, and assembling the desired number of pieces into a product carrier and delivering the product carrier to a transport conveyor system for final processing.

Abstract: A method of operating a packaging line comprises the following steps:(a) sensing the absence and presence of an operationally sufficient quantity of wrapper sheet supply for a bag making station of the packaging line;(b) sensing the absence and presence of an operationally sufficient quantity of bulk material supply in a metering and filling station of the packaging line;(c) sensing the absence and presence of the bags on a first conveying lane of the packaging line;(d) sensing the quantity of the bags on a second, accumulating conveying lane which adjoins the first conveying lane and receives the filled and closed bags therefrom, to determine a receptiveness or non-receptiveness of the second conveying lane;(e) allowing a start-up of the packaging line only if the sensing steps (a) and (b) determine a presence of bags on the first conveying lane and the sensing step (d) determines a receptiveness of the second conveying lane; and(f) allowing the stoppage of the packaging line only if the sensing step (c) det

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the performance and through-put of a high speed horizontal wrapping machine of the type having mechanically independently driven infeed, film drive and cut/seal head motors, each controlled by a shared programmed microprocessor whereby in the event that a product to be wrapped gets out of registration to the point where the machine's cut/seal head blades might otherwise engage the product being wrapped rather than only the film between two adjacent products, the condition is sensed and a software routine is called which causes the cut/seal heads to come to a stop in the open condition while the film tube continues to be fed until all the products, including the one out of registration and all those downstream from it, exit the wrapper, at which point the wrapper resumes its normal running mode. In this fashion, damage to the cut/seal head and associated down-time to clear the jam is avoided.

Abstract: The horizontal wrapping machine of the type wherein a succession of articles are fed into a traveling tube of web material which is sealed longitudinally and severed and sealed between the articles to produce individual hermetically sealed packages. A variable speed motor drives a conveyor which may be provided with article feeding flights and a switch, actuated once each revolution of a timing shaft, provides a pulse corresponding to each flight on the article feeding conveyor. In addition an encoder driven by the variable speed drive motor shaft provides a digital velocity signal used as a reference signal for servo motors that may be coupled, in combination or individually, to drive web feed rolls, longitudinal sealing wheels and one or more sealing and severing heads. A delivery conveyor transporting individual packages may, through a suitable drive train, be driven by the variable speed drive motor.

Abstract: A mechanism for automatically feeding individual pre-cut sheets and stuffing a personalized letter or some other pre-cut insert into a personalized envelope. The mechanism has means to permit additional inserts to be automatically added to the envelope and to automatically seal the contents within the envelope. The mechanism will also combine pre-cut inserts and envelopes fed from different sources and form them into a completed mailing envelope.